United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday proposed that political parties sign a gentleman’s agreement to nominate at least 5 percent women candidates for direct election in the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls. “We are now proposing that each political party nominate women candidates in at least 5 percent of the 300 general seats in the upcoming election. Since there’s no scope to amend the Constitution before the election, this should be a gentleman’s agreement for now. But we want 10 percent of the seats to be contested by women through the constitutional amendment, meaning 30 directly elected women MPs in addition to the 50 reserved seats—bringing total female representation to 80,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while briefing reporters during a break of the 19th session of the second-round dialogue between the National Consensus Commission (NCC) and political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. He stressed that this should be part of a phased plan to gradually eliminate reserved seats altogether and ensure all female MPs are directly elected. Regarding the police commission, Salahuddin said the parties reached a consensus on establishing a Bangladesh Police Commission—an independent body aimed at ensuring professionalism and accountability within the police force. The commission will also be responsible for disposing of complaints against members of the police and conducting impartial investigations into complaints to be placed by the people. BNP submits audit report to EC; shows surplus proceeds of over Tk 10.85cr “All aspects—including formation, jurisdiction, and procedures of the commission—will be determined by a law to be passed in Parliament. The NCC has asked to take into account its own recommendations when drafting that law,” he said. He said since departmental inquiries are usually the only avenue for addressing allegations against police personnel, the proposed commission should allow citizens to file complaints independently. “If needed, the provision for judicial investigations should be kept,” he added. On the issue of state’s fundamental principles, Salahuddin reiterated BNP’s opposition to the principles introduced through the 15th amendment to the Constitution, currently enshrined in Article 8. “Our position remains that the principles adopted during the 5th amendment—faith and trust in Almighty Allah, democracy, and nationalism—should be restored,” he said. However he said new proposals such as including “equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, and religious freedom and harmony” as fundamental principles are acceptable to BNP. He said any such additions or amendments would ultimately be determined by Parliament. Salahuddin also said another major development took place during the dialogue. “We had earlier proposed that no person can serve as Prime Minister for more than 10 years in total. Today, the Commission also agreed that no matter how many times a person is elected, their total tenure as PM cannot exceed 10 years. This will prevent the scope of building fascism or personality-centric rule,” he said. The BNP leader expressed hope that the NCC's dialogue can conclude even before July 31 if the discussions progress as expected.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said those who are afraid of elections should not be there in politics and instead work as pressure groups or NGOs. “Those who are afraid of elections do not need to do politics. Let them work as pressure groups. They can work as NGOs. You cannot do politics, avoid elections, and at the same time obstruct the democratic process. That’s unacceptable,” he said. He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by the Bhasani Janashakti Party and Bhasani Anushari Parishad at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking the first anniversary of the July Uprising. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, warned that in countries where mass revolutions took place and elections were delayed, it led to division, civil war and failure as a state. “But those who returned to democracy promptly through elections saw economic, social and political improvement,” he said. Talking about the July Uprising, he said there are some divisions over the movement, but no one has the scope to hijack it. People want genuine democracy to solve nation’s problems: Fakhrul He said the July uprising was not something new, as movements for their rights are in the DNA of the people of Bangladesh. “There was no other way for Sheikh Hasina but to go. We wouldn’t have returned home if Sheikh Hasina hadn’t fallen on August 5. Our movement would have continued,” the BNP leader said. The aim of the movement, he said, was to reclaim people’s ownership of the country and restore their constitutional rights. Although BNP leaders and activists suffered the most, Khosru said their party never claimed credit for the movement. He said a government elected through people’s vote must be established to make the mass uprising a success. The BNP leader stressed that a full consensus is not needed on all issues. “Different political parties will have different ideas and beliefs, which is normal. But on national issues, unity is important. Without differences, democracy cannot survive. We are not here to establish one-party rule.” He said there has been a change in people’s mindset in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s fleeing. “Those who fail to understand this change have no political future.” Khosru also said many police and government officials are not working properly due to the absence of an elected government, and foreign investors are waiting for an elected government to make decisions.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said that the people of Bangladesh aspire for genuine democracy as it is the only way to resolve the country's problems. "I can say this that I understand the pulse of my country’s people. They want to improve their lives, they want progress, and they want a genuine democratic system. Through that democratic system, a path to resolving all issues can be found,” he said while addressing a seminar. Stating that the country is going through a transitional period, Fakhrul urged all to stay united in order to overcome all challenges and achieve success through collective efforts. “An opportunity has been created as a national unity was built through an unprecedented mass uprising by students and the general public. If we can now move forward with that unity, focus on our core issues, and work with a shared vision and purpose, then without a doubt, we will succeed," he observed. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh have carried out many long democratic struggles and finally achieved independence through a Liberation War, showing their unity and resilience. “After fighting against fascist forces for the last 15 years, the nation has reached a turning point. In this July and August, we have been able to remove a terrible, monstrous regime. So, if we remain united, I believe success is within our reach,” he said. These days, Fakhrul said, many people are talking about reforms, but BNP felt the need for reform a long time ago. He said BNP presented ‘Vision 2030’ in 2016, outlining its reform plans, with Begum Khaleda Zia laying the foundation for the initiative. In 2022, the BNP leader said their party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman had presented 31 points, all focused on reforms. “As a political party, we are fully aware of what the people need and of the changes that must come with time. We know that reforms are essential, and even changes to the structure of the state are necessary. With this understanding, we are moving forward consciously,” he said. Can't run country with hired people: Fakhrul The National Committee on the Implementation of Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge organised the seminar titled, “The Necessity of Implementing Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge” at the BRAC Centre Inn in the city’s Mohakhali area. He said there is no doubt about the need for the Padma Barrage and the second Padma Bridge in Bangladesh. “At the same time, we understand the needs of the people living in the affected districts who have been waiting for these projects.” Considering the climate situation and its impact on around eight to nine crore people and their lives and livelihoods, Fakhrul said his party fully realises the importance of the Padma Barrage and the second Padma Bridge. He said although seven feasibility studies have already been carried out and many discussions held, unfortunately, no clear decision has yet been made on the matter. “Our experts have stressed this point strongly, and I want to highlight it too. What is most needed now is political commitment. Political commitment is the key, and it can only come when the demand arises from the people themselves. This is very important,” the BNP leader said. He said the Padma Barrage and the Second Padma Bridge are not just issues for Faridpur or Rajbari, as they affect the entire southern region of Bangladesh. “People from all walks of life need to come forward with this demand.” Fakhrul said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia gave a commitment to build the Second Padma Bridge a long time ago. Noted economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya said an updated technical report on the Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge projects is necessary before moving forward with such major infrastructure. He said political commitment is also needed to implement such large projects in a transparent manner. Dr Debapriya also said political parties should include river protection as part of their election pledges and reflect it in their election manifestos. He said Bangladesh must also prepare to reassess and renegotiate the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India, which is set to expire in 2026 after completing its 30-year term. BNP pledges to prioritise child labour elimination if elected: Fakhrul  Eminent economist and former adviser to the caretaker government Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said a competent and courageous political leadership is required to implement such a project, considering its potential, along with an updated technical report. He said technical expertise, transparency and skilled professionals for regional negotiation are also necessary to carry out the Padma Barrage and Second Padma Bridge projects. Hossain Zillur suggested forming a working group on the Padma Barrage project to create public pressure on the government for its implementation. Water resources and climate change expert Dr Ainun Nishat said building the Second Padma Bridge is possible, but it will be a very risky undertaking and must be approached with caution. He said it is important to understand how the river will behave in the proposed locations of the second bridge over the mighty Padma River. The expert said environmental concerns should also be taken into account when planning such major bridge and barrage projects. Dr Nishat expressed concern that people in the southern region of Bangladesh are already facing serious consequences of climate change and said the government should take the issue seriously.

BNP on Sunday submitted its financial report for the 2024 calendar year to the Election Commission (EC), showing a surplus ‘income’ of over Tk 10.85 crore. According to the report, the party’s total income stood at Tk 15,65,94,842, while its expenditure amounted to Tk 4,80,04,823, leaving a surplus of Tk 10,85,90,019. A BNP delegation, led by party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, submitted the statement to EC Senior Secretary Md Akhtar Ahmed at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Talking to reporters after submitting the report, Rizvi said the party’s income came mainly from members’ monthly subscriptions, book sales, interest from money deposited in banks and one-time donations. He said the expenses were made for personal assistance, disaster response, carrying out political programmes, and printing leaflets and posters. Audit report to EC: Awami League earned Tk 2.85 crore in 2022 Rizvi criticised the past role of the Election Commission, saying that previous commissions acted under the executive branch as tools of fascism. “They held voting at night before polling day and legalised rigged and looted elections,” he said. He also alleged that the previous commissions were formed with ‘spineless, job-seeking individuals’. Rizvi expressed the hope that the current EC would act responsibly and help create an environment for free, fair, and credible elections. “BNP wants the EC to become a trusted institution that can prevent any conspiracies regarding elections,” he added. As per existing laws, registered political parties must submit their financial statements to the EC by July 31 every year. BNP submits audit report to EC showing 2.03 cr in deposit Over the past few years, BNP’s financial reports have shown fluctuations in income and expenditure. In 2023, the party earned Tk 1.1 crore and spent Tk 3.65 crore, covering the deficit by using funds from previous savings. In 2022, BNP showed an income of Tk 5.92 crore against an expenditure of Tk 3.88 crore, with a reserve fund of Tk 2.03 crore.

Stating that a democratic system established through a national election is essential for reforms, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said it is not possible to run the country by hiring a few people from home and abroad.  “Can a country be run by hiring a few people from home and abroad? No, it cannot. This simple fact we need to understand," he said. Speaking at a discussion, he also criticised those who think reforms can happen overnight or just through a few meetings. “Reform must be carried out through a process. It is a continuous process.” The BNP leader said if the government thinks the police will stop taking bribes from tomorrow just because it wants them to, it will not happen. “You have to build a structure where bribery is discouraged.” Zia Parishad organised the programme titled 'July Uprising: Expectation and Achievement at the Jatiya Press Club,' marking the first anniversary of last year’s mass uprising that led to the fall of what he described as the fascist rule of Sheikh Hasina. Fakhrul also blamed the existing bureaucracy for holding back the country’s development. “Our bureaucracy is a major obstacle to development. It is a negative bureaucracy and must be turned into a positive one. To do that, we mainly need to involve the people in the process,” he said. BNP pledges to prioritise child labour elimination if elected: Fakhrul  The BNP leader said political parties should focus on returning to the people, learning about their needs and reflecting those needs in running the country. Referring to the criticism BNP faces for demanding elections, Fakhrul said, “As soon as we started talking about the election, they began saying BNP only wants polls. But has anyone thought about why we want the election?” Without elections, he said true public representatives cannot be chosen. “And without representatives, how can they go to Parliament? And if there is no elected Parliament, how can people’s rule be established?” Speaking on the topic of the PR or proportional representation election system, the BNP Secretary General said some political parties have started talking about it in different ways.  “But this has no connection with Bangladesh. They are loudly calling for elections under the PR system. But what is a proportional election? The general public simply doesn’t understand it,” he said. Fakhrul mentioned that there is currently a kind of confusion in the country regarding the PR system, as some parties are strongly promoting it and speaking in favour of it. “But our people are used to a different process. They know that a political party nominates a candidate, and on the election day, they go and vote for that candidate — whether the symbol is a Sheaf of Paddy, a Scale, or a Hand Fan. That’s the system they know. Now, all of a sudden, some people are saying elections should be held under a proportional system,” the BNP leader said. He said the concept of proportional representation is unfamiliar to most people in the country. “If you ask ordinary people, they won’t be able to explain what it means.” Narrating how the system works, the BNP leader said under the PR system, people would vote for parties, and then the party that gets the most votes would nominate members to go to parliament. He said this system would not allow people to choose a leader from their own area -- someone who can represent them and solve their local problems. For this reason, Fakhrul said, BNP does not support the idea of holding proportional representation elections for the lower house of parliament. He said the whole nation is now passing through a very critical time. “We are waiting and looking for a way to move towards democracy. Bangladesh is facing a serious crisis. We are in a political vacuum and dealing with a tough economic situation. We must come out of this and build a political and economic system that will benefit the people of Bangladesh.” The BNP leader said Awami League is a fascist force, and the damage it has done to the country will not be easy to fix. “They have destroyed all the institutions —not only the judiciary, administration, health sector and universities, but also the political parties.” Fakhrul expressed his regret over some reports in newspapers about the wrongdoings of BNP leaders and activists. Fakhrul meets 5 families of Milestone plane crash victims, offers condolences He stressed that honesty must come first for BNP’s leaders and workers as it is a party founded by Ziaur Rahman. “Without honesty, BNP will not be able to stand before the people.” He bemoaned that many types of reports are being published in the media that do not match the values of BNP or the ideals of Ziaur Rahman. “So, those who are in BNP politics must follow Ziaur Rahman and must all be honest.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said eliminating child labour and reintegrating working children into education and a healthy lifestyle would be a top priority for the BNP if elected to power. He made the remarks while virtually addressing a programme from Dhaka titled ‘Presentation of Experiences and Successes of the Thakurgaon Model on Child Labour Elimination’, organised by Eco-Social Development Organisation (ESDO) at its head office in Gobindanagar, Thakurgaon. No real reform possible without elected representatives: Fakhrul “Considering the country's economic reality, eliminating child labour is a major challenge. However, ESDO has undertaken commendable initiatives in Thakurgaon. I extend my heartfelt thanks to them,” Fakhrul said. ESDO Executive Director Dr Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman presided over the event. Labour and Employment Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, Cabinet Division Secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Zaheda Parveen, Rangpur Divisional Commissioner (Additional Secretary) Shahidul Islam, and National Child Labour Monitoring Committee Joint Convenor Advocate Salma Ali also spoke at the event.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said no real reform is possible without involving people’s representatives and establishing a proper democratic structure through a national election. Speaking at a discussion, he also criticised those who think reforms can happen overnight or just through a few meetings. “Reform must be carried out through a process. It is a continuous process,” he said. The BNP leader said if the government thinks the police will stop taking bribes from tomorrow just because it wants them to, it will not happen. “You have to build a structure where bribery is discouraged.” Zia Parishad organised the programme titled 'July Uprising: Expectation and Achievement at the Jatiya Press Club,' marking the first anniversary of last year’s mass uprising that led to the fall of what he described as the fascist rule of Sheikh Hasina. Fakhrul also blamed the existing bureaucracy for holding back the country’s development. “Our bureaucracy is a major obstacle to development. It is a negative bureaucracy and must be turned into a positive one. To do that, we mainly need to involve the people in the process,” he said. Hasina can never be forgiven, says Fakhrul  The BNP leader said political parties should focus on returning to the people, learning about their needs and reflecting those needs in running the country. Referring to the criticism BNP faces for demanding elections, Fakhrul said, “As soon as we started talking about the election, they began saying BNP only wants polls. But has anyone thought about why do we want the election?” He explained that without elections, true public representatives cannot be chosen. “And without representatives, how can they go to Parliament? And if there is no elected Parliament, how can people’s rule be established?” “You cannot just hire a few people from home and abroad to run a country. It’s not possible,” Fakhrul remarked.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Friday said Sylhet will become one of the strongest bases of the NCP in building a new Bangladesh. He made the remarks while addressing a street rally at the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar after leading a procession in the city as part of the party’s ongoing “July Campaign.” “Sylhet has always stood at the forefront of history — from the 1947 referendum to the Liberation War and the July uprising. But the people of Sylhet have long been deprived first by the British, then by Pakistan, and even during the Awami League era,” Nahid said. Paying tribute to the 17 Sylhet residents who were killed during the July uprising, including journalist ATM Turab, he said the NCP is committed to fulfilling the dreams of those martyrs through the creation of a just and inclusive Bangladesh. No progress on justice for killings, disappearances since uprising: NCP’s Akhter Nahid also highlighted the contribution of expatriates, especially the Sylheti community in London, to the national economy. “Our economy moves forward with the sweat of our brothers abroad. We are fighting for their voting rights and believe they should have a role in national policymaking,” he added. Calling for mass participation at the party’s upcoming rally in Dhaka on August 3, he said the “July Charter” and “July Declaration” would be formally announced from that platform. NCP's southern region coordinator Hasnat Abdullah said, “Our country has always been run by administrators, businessmen, or the military- never by the people. We want to build a people’s Bangladesh.” Attack on NCP leaders in Gopalganj carried out with intent to murder: Nahid Islam He claimed NCP has emerged as a clean political alternative, free from corruption and extortion. Earlier, the NCP brought out a procession from Chowhatta, which ended at the Shaheed Minar with a rally moderated by northern coordinator Sarjis Alam. Senior party leaders including Anik Roy, Ehteshamul Haque, Tasnim Jara, Nasir Uddin Patwari, Sadia Farzana Dina, Samanta Sharmin, and Golam Mortuza Selim were also present.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday warned that the longer the election is delayed, the more complications and questions the interim government will face due to its lack of coordination and inexperience in governance. “Since the interim government is not an elected one, it can avoid taking responsibility for the country’s various crises. But the more the election is delayed, the more pressure and questions the government will face, and different complications will arise,” he said. Gayeshwar, a BNP Standing Committee member, made these remarks while visiting the family of Nusrat Jahan Anika, a third-grade student who was killed in the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara. Bangladesh falls behind in gaining favourable deals with US: Moyeen Khan He visited Nusrat’s home in the capital’s Diabari area and expressed sympathy to the grieving family on behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The BNP leader said although the country is going through various crises, the government’s actions are barely visible to the public. “People don’t even feel its presence.” Gayeshwar questioned whether government officials, apart from the advisers, are attending their offices regularly or properly carrying out their duties. He alleged that corruption is continuing unchecked, just as it has over the past 17 years, and in some areas, it has even increased. Gayeshwar said the current government is unable to function effectively due to a lack of coordination and governance experience. “Had they asserted their authority properly, many of these controversies might not have happened.” He said BNP does not intend to criticise the interim government harshly, as it is a non-partisan administration. “Only an elected government is accountable to the people—not an unelected one.” Gayeshwar warned that without an elected government in place, the country is likely to face further uncertainty. Fakhrul meets 5 families of Milestone plane crash victims, offers condolences He also criticised the air force authorities for conducting flight training in such a densely populated area. The BNP leader said even after four days, the Air Force had yet to take any responsibility for the tragic crash. “There must be a proper investigation. Those responsible must be identified and held to account, so that such a heartbreaking incident is not repeated in the future.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday said his party expects visible punishment for top offenders and some basic reforms before the next national election. Speaking at a discussion and prayer event at Sylhet Shilpakala Academy, organised to commemorate those killed and injured during the July uprising, he said the last three elections did not reflect people’s will and a similar election would only bring grief to the nation. “We want to see at least two or four top criminals punished before the next polls,” he said. Shafiqur warned that if the upcoming government fails to continue the process of justice, the youth will take to the streets again and they now know the path. He said the ongoing struggle is not only against fascism but also against deep-rooted corruption. “The people of Bangladesh will triumph in this fight too,” he added. The Jamaat chief also pledged to honour families of those killed and wounded in the July movement if the party comes to power. Jamaat Ameer opposes delaying elections, demands free and fair polls He criticised the government’s ‘mismanagement’ and ‘backing of vested groups,’ which he said turned the tea industry into a fragile sector. The Jamaat leader also vowed to build a corruption-free Bangladesh and empower youth for nation-building, adding, “No country is our master—we’ll work with neighbours on the basis of equality.” Chaired by Sylhet city Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Fakhrul Islam, Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer and Sylhet district Ameer Mawlana Habibur Rahman. family members of the deceased and injured also spoke at the programme.